Iowa State Powers Past Texas Tech, 13-9

LUBBOCK, Texas – Iowa State’s offense went on an offensive explosion Saturday afternoon at Rocky Johnson field as the Cyclones knocked off Texas Tech 13-9. The win improved Iowa State to 22-24-1 overall, 2-9 in the Big 12. TTU fell to 34-16 overall, 7-7 in the conference.

The win, Iowa State’s first in Lubbock, came on 16 hits and was led by a 6-RBI day from Aly Cappaert, which included a 3-run home run.

Iowa State Starts FastAfter only picking up two hits in their loss Friday night, the Cyclones had that after three batters on Saturday. Sarah Hawryluk started ISU off with an infield single and Lexi Slater added a single of her own.

Rachel Hartman got a single to load the bases for Iowa State and their top driver in of runs, Aly Cappaert. The sophomore hit one to center, which was more than enough for Hawryluk and Slater to score and put Iowa State ahead 2-0.

Iowa State then followed that up by forcing Texas Tech to leave the bases loaded. Paris Imholz did not allow a hit in the first, but had runners reach on two hit by pitches and an error. Tech left it to Samantha Camello to bring home the runs, but Hawryluk made an outstanding running catch to end the inning.

A Big Third InningTexas Tech pulled two runs back in the bottom of the second, but left the bases loaded again. Iowa State made sure TTU paid for it in the top of the third. Hawryluk got hit by a pitch and Slater picked up her 14th double of the season with a two-bagger to right.

With the speedy Hawryluk on third, Iowa State rolled the dice and went with a suicide squeeze on Hartman’s at bat. The freshman positioned her bunt, just well enough for Hawryluk to get home and under the tag to put Iowa State back ahead, 3-2.

Cappaert drove home her third run of the game in the next at-bat with a fielder’s choice to second that resulted in an error and allowed everyone to be safe and the score 4-2 Cyclones. Spendlove then made it 5-2 with a single through the right-side. Two batters later, Sara Rice grounded out to second, but did enough to bring Cappaert home and put Iowa State ahead 6-2.

Getting Out of JamsImholz was solid throughout, but had to get herself out of some sticky jams. After the two bases loaded jams to start the game, Tech was looking to get something going again in the fourth. The Red Raiders got runners on second and third with two outs. Once again, Camello was up looking for the big hit and once again she fell victim to a great defensive play by Hawryluk as the left fielder, shifted over from right in place of the injured Liana Henry came a long ways to track down a ball in foul ground to end the fourth.

The Tech offense looked ready to get back to work in the fifth when Lea Hopson led off with a single. However, that threat was quickly removed as TTU tried a hit-and-run, but Brittany Lee’s lined one right at Davison, who flipped to first for the easy double play. TTU had another crack in the fifth as Kady Crow and Sydni Emanuel each reached base. Tech brought in pinch hitter Kristi Belshe to try and bring home more runs, but she grounded out to second and ISU was out of the jam.

Bigger Sixth InningBrittany Gomez and Hawryluk led off the sixth with infield singles. Slater then grounded one to second, and Tech decided to get the speedy Gomez at home, but the throw was too late and ISU was ahead 7-4. That became 8-4 when Hartman hit a double to left, her ninth two-bagger of the season. Cappaert then emptied the bags with a 3-run home run into the trees beyond the left field wall to put the Cyclones ahead 11-4.

It was Cappaert’s 10th home run of the season, first since her walk-off against Northern Illinois back on March 23. Cappaert now has the ninth 10-home run season in Iowa State history. The home run also took her RBI total on the season to 41, the sixth 40+ RBI season in Iowa State history.

Roggentien Steps InImholz gave up two home runs in the bottom of the sixth that saw the Red Raiders reduce the Iowa State lead to 11-7. With Katie Johnson unavailable, ISU turned to Stacy Roggentien in the bullpen. Though Roggentien allowed three base runners in her first inning of work, she got the needed outs to keep ISU ahead by four.

Slater Insurance RunsHawryluk drew her second walk of the game in the top of the seventh. Slater took advantage of the big winds to left at Rocky Johnson Field and sent her eighth home run of the season over the wall to give Iowa State a 13-7 advantage.

On DeckIowa State and Texas Tech will play the rubber game at Rocky Johnson Field tomorrow at noon.